Socket-cap.



G. DOESGHER.

socxm GAP.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, 1910.

985,252, v I Patented Fe'b.28,1911.

UNITED STATES PATENT: OFFICE. v

1 CHARLES DQESCHER, or WATERIBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR 'io scovILi. MANU- FACTURING' COMPANY, or WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION or CON- NECTICUT.

To all whom it may concern:

5 Be it known that I, CHARLES Donsonnn, a citizen of the United. States, residing at Vaterbury, in the county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Socket-Caps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

As very commonly used, the metal cap of electric light sockets is provided with an applied hub, internally -screwthreaded to admit of its being screwed on to the light fixture. This hub is usually cut from solid red brass and machined to shape, and has a flange or other means which is upset or headed up in a hole' in the cap. The cap is usually of sheet brass and quite thin. Since there is considerable strain put upon the cap in applying the hub to it, andin screwing thesocket to a fixture, 'itis obvious that the uniting of a hub and cap of such relatively diverse and unequal thickness and strength, presents practical difliculties of considerable complexity. Various means have been used to meet these difliculties.

lhe present invention is" designed to enable manufacturers to produce sockets with a strain-resisting union of hub and cap in a simple and economical manner.

This invention consists of a cap or shell having a continuous, inwardly projecting circular flange surrounding its hub opening, and an 'exte ri'orly polygonal recess surrounding, said flange, in which is arranged a 'polygonal washer, the shape of the recess serving to locate the washer therein unerringly, the thickness of the washer beingabout equal to the depth of the flange, and a hub having a flange which also is about equal in length to the depth of the flange; and, located within the hub-opening and flange of the cap, the construction being i such that the parts may beuaccurately placed within the staking tools to insure alinement of the parts to eifect the uniform and unerring squeezing of the metal of the hub flange and cap flange, in the several angles of the washer'by lateral displacement of the l metal ofthesefianges, in order to effect a rigid and secure union of the hub and cap sufiicient to'resist the twisting action incident to screwing the cap or socket upon a l-he holding Patented Feb. 28,

roughenin or knurling the hub flange e xterlorly, thereby lncreaslng its grasp upon the cap flange. Y

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, in the several figures of -which like parts are similarly designated,

Figure 1 shows in cross-section, the three A parts of the structure, detached. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred form-of flanged hub. Fig. Bis a plan viewof-[the washer. Fig. 4 is an inside plan View of the cap or shell. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the assembled ,parts. Fig. 6 is an inside plan view of the structure shown ,in F ig'. 5. Fig, 7 is a longitudinal section showing-the staking tools as used. Fig. 8

is a bottom plan view of the staking punch and its holder. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the die.

The cap or shell 1 may be of any approved metal and configuration, and differs from the ordinary cap in having the solid, co nt1nuous or unbroken clrcular flange 2 extending within it and surrounding .the hub opening or hole 3 and also inhaving the recess-4 encircling the "flange 2 and made with a polygonal periphery 4", as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The cap flange and this recess are of substantially equal depth. A

washer 5 is arranged in this recess and it is of polygonal form,- as shown in Figs; 3 and 6, so that when in place, it will not turn or slip around in the recess. 'This washer is of a thickness substantially equal"to'the depth of the flange, so that said' flange is practically backed up by the washer.

The hub 6 has a flange 'l and an adjacent shoulder 8, and may be ofany usual-construction, excepting that its flange? preferably is knurled or otherwise roughened, as shown in Fig. 2, to increase its grasp or grip on the cap flange when the parts are assembled. Thefiange 7 is,subst antially 111131 inllength d th of the 'shell or fc'ap flange so as to obtain the greatest possible extent of interlocking contact between effect maybe increased by them. The flange 7 is circular. c

When thec'ap or shell,-the washer and the hub are assembled, as shown in Fig. 7, I I

any suitable sta'kingtoolsmay'be used for uniting them, as shown at 9, Figs. 5 and 6. It is preferred to unite these parts rigidly, so as to prevent relative turning thereof, by lateral displacement of the metal of the flanges'at intervals corresponding in number with the numberof angles in the polygonal washer and in the direction of'the longitudinal axis of the cap and in extent equal to the length or depth of the flanges.

The staking tools may comprise a die 10, having a matrix 11 to receive the hub, and a surrounding peripherally polygonal matrix 12, Fig. 9, to receive the polygonal projection of the cap in which the :recess 4: exists, so that the cap and its contained washer may be accurately located with re spect to the punch, to insure the squeezing of the metal of the flanges of the hub and cap into the angles of the washer. The punch holder 13 is shaped to fit the interior of the cap and rest upon the washer. The punch 14: is arranged in this holder and has a lon itudinal movement therein under control 01 the spring '15 and slot and pin connection 16. The punch has a shank 17 by which it may be mounted in a suitable press, The face of the punch, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, has a series of radially disposed edged and tapering ribs 18 disposed on curved lines and merging in a centering project-ion 19, which enters the hub when the punch descends to its work, and upon such descent the ribs 18 act upon the hub flange and through it upon the cap flange and spread or squeeze the metal of these flanges laterally into the angles in the washer, thereby interlocking these" three parts and the cap securely,'and preventing their relative rotation when the cap or the socket of which it is a part, is screwed onto a fixture. The polygonal recess 4 prevents any dislocation of the washer in the process of assembling and staking the parts, and not only so, but alines the angles of the washer with the ribs of the punch. The washer, therefore, is not necessarily deformed in the act of staking, but substantially retains its integrity, while serving to back up the cap or shell flange. The stakings extend the full length or depth of the flanges, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cap and thus afford the greatestpossible extent of resistance to the twisting strains exerted in screwing the structure to a fixture. In-this operation 'of stakinggit will occur frequently, if not always, that the inner edges'of the flanges will be more i or less slightly split, andthis will enhance the strain-resisting quality of the union.

One of the fundamental elements of the construction is the drawing down of the cap stock to form the integral, circular inwardly extending hub-hole or cap flange, whereby the strength of the cap is aug: mented and the hold of the hub rendered more secure in comparison with prior constructions. In some prior constructions the cap flange has been folded back upon itself or the cap when the hub is clenched in the hub-hole, and while this construction may reinforce the strength of the cap at the place of union, it adds little if anything to the effectiveness of the joint in resisting twisting or rotary strains in applying the socket to a fixture, whereas the straight and unfolded cap flange and the axially disposed displacements gain as well the reinalined, the very purpose of these angular parts would be defeated, and the joint rendered ineffective, and this difliculty was of frequent occurrence in actual practice. the present invention, these objections are avoided. The cap flange is drawn down circularly .within the shell or cap for a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the surrounding washer and the length of the hub flange, and, hence, instead of having a thin sheet metal portion of the shell or cap squeezed in between the shoulder of the hub and the washer, as in the old construction, there is a considerable length of metal so staked, and the result is that the hub and cap are held securely against the twisting or rotation incident to securing the socket to a fixture. The use of the polygonal recess 4 insures the proper location of the angles of the washer with respect to the staking tools, and thus the staklngs are properly located in an automatic way, or Without furthercare upon the part of the operator, than to see that the shell or cap is properly placed in the matrix 12, the

angles of which, of course, correspond with the angles of the washer and'the staking ribs 18 of the punch. The polygonal form of the washer and its retaining recess serve to prevent the washer from turning.

The invention is notlimited to the design shown for the caps of electric light sockets, and any other expedient than the polygonal recess in the cap may be used to ocate the polygonal washer for staking purposes.

As already sufficiently indicated, the cap is designed for use primarily on the sockets of electric light bulbs. The invention is applicable to any style of cap or socket using a hub connection for attachment to a fixture.

What I claim is i 1. A cap having a. hub-hole and a sur- Correction in Letters Patent'-Nog98 5,'25 2.

rounding inwardly extending flange, a polygonal Washer surrounding said flange, means to locate the washer in the cap, and a flanged-hub inserted in said hole and pro- 5 'jecti'ng within said flange, the cap and hub flanges and the washer having substantially equal contact surfaces, and laterally disposed 'stakings impressed in the flanges and extending into and engaging the angles of the washer, said stakings substantially coequal with the length or depth of the flanges and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cap.

2. A cap having a hub-hole and a surrounding inwardly extending flange, a recess surrounding said flange and having a polygonalperimeter, a polygonal washer arranged in said recess and surrounding the flange, and a hub having a flange arranged within said cap flange, the Washer and the cap and hub flanges having substantially coextensive contact surfaces, and laterally disposed stakings impressed in the flanges and extending into and engaging-the an gles of the Washer, said stakings substantially coequal with the length or depth of [sun] Signed and sealed this 21st dayof March, A. D., 1911.

the flanges and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cap.

3. A cap having a hub-hole and a surrounding lnwardly extending flange, a recess surrounding said flange and having a polygonal perimeter, a polygonal washer arranged in said recess and surrounding the flanges, and a hub having a flange arranged within said cap flange and peripherally knurled, the washer and the cap and CHARLES DOE SCI- ER 1 \Vitnesses PERCY lumen,

E. A. HYDE.

It i hereb tified that in Letters Patent No. 985,252, granted February 28, 1911, upon the application of Charles Doescher, of Waterbury, Connecticut, for an improvement in SocketrGapsR an error appears the printed specification, requiring correction as follows; Page 1, line 14, the word red should read rod nd that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read witli this correction therein that I the same may. conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

E. B. MOORE,

aommissiomr of Patents.

' Correction in Letters Patent'-Nog98 5,'25 2.

rounding inwardly extending flange, a polygonal Washer surrounding said flange, means to locate the washer in the cap, and a flanged-hub inserted in said hole and pro- 5 'jecti'ng within said flange, the cap and hub flanges and the washer having substantially equal contact surfaces, and laterally disposed 'stakings impressed in the flanges and extending into and engaging the angles of the washer, said stakings substantially coequal with the length or depth of the flanges and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cap.

2. A cap having a hub-hole and a surrounding inwardly extending flange, a recess surrounding said flange and having a polygonalperimeter, a polygonal washer arranged in said recess and surrounding the flange, and a hub having a flange arranged within said cap flange, the Washer and the cap and hub flanges having substantially coextensive contact surfaces, and laterally disposed stakings impressed in the flanges and extending into and engaging-the an gles of the Washer, said stakings substantially coequal with the length or depth of [sun] Signed and sealed this 21st dayof March, A. D., 1911.

the flanges and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cap.

3. A cap having a hub-hole and a surrounding lnwardly extending flange, a recess surrounding said flange and having a polygonal perimeter, a polygonal washer arranged in said recess and surrounding the flanges, and a hub having a flange arranged within said cap flange and peripherally knurled, the washer and the cap and CHARLES DOE SCI- ER 1 \Vitnesses PERCY lumen,

E. A. HYDE.

It i hereb tified that in Letters Patent No. 985,252, granted February 28, 1911, upon the application of Charles Doescher, of Waterbury, Connecticut, for an improvement in SocketrGapsR an error appears the printed specification, requiring correction as follows; Page 1, line 14, the word red should read rod nd that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read witli this correction therein that I the same may. conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

E. B. MOORE,

aommissiomr of Patents.

Correction In Letters Patent No.985,252.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 985,252, granted February 28, 1911, upon the application of Charles Doescher, of Waterbury, Connecticut, for an improvement in Socket-Caps, an errorappears in the printed specification, requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 14, the word led should read rod; and that the said Letters Patent should be read witli this correction therein that the some may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of March, A. D., 1911.

E. B. MOORE, Cbmmismbner of Patents.

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